Package construction and method of making the same or the like



June 11, 1968 p REYNOLDS ET AL 3,387,702

PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.2

INVENT 2% DAVID P YQ SEDS EDWARD AEDER BY 1W4 THEIR ATTQRNEYS June 11, 1968 D. P. REYNOLDS ET 3,387,702

PACKAGE CONSTR TIGN AND M T O F MAKING THE E OR THE KE Filed March 15, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet I:

11 FIG. ll FIGJZ INVENTORS DAVID E REYNOL ARD EDW G. MAE

THEIR ATTORNEYS ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLUSURE This disclosure relates to a package construction having a plurality of substantially cylindrical receptacles each having an unrimmed closed end and an opposed closed rimmed end with the rimmed end thereof being inwardly necked within the circumference of the outer cylindrical side wall means of the respective receptacle, such receptacles being arranged in rows and encased in a tubular heat-shrunk, film-like member to compact such containers together to form the package construction whereby the rimmed ends of the receptacles will not engage adjacent receptacles so that a chime riding problem is eliminated. If desired, suitable spacer means can be provided between adjacent rows of the encased receptacles for spacing purposes and for hand carrying purposes as desired.

This invention relates to an improved package construction or the like as well as to an improved method for making such a package construction or the like.

It is well known that beverages and the like are merchandised in substantially cylindrical containers arranged in combinations of four, six, eight or twelve sets with each set being encased in a cardboard receptacle for the merchandising of the same.

According to the teachings of this invention, an improved package construction for such receptacles or containers is provided wherein the same is economical to make and which will attractively display the containers for increased sales appeal thereof.

In particular, this invention provides a package construction wherein the containers are arranged in side-byside rows and are encased in a heat shrunk tubular filmlike member which compacts the containers together to form a stabilized package construction, each container having the rimmed end thereof necked inwardly to prevent chime riding in the package construction so that the package construction will not be adversely affected.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved package construction having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an im proved method of making such a package construction or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved package construction of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view illustrating one of the receptacles or containers of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an end View of the package construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the package construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating a spacer means utilized with the package construction of FIG URE 1.

Patented June 11, 1963 FIGURE 6 is a View similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrates another embodiment of the spacer means of this invention.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates the package construction of this invention utilizing the spacer means of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrates another embodiment of the spacer means of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates the package construction of this invention utilizing the spacer means of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a package construction similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the package construction of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a schematic, perspective view illustrating another embodiment of this invention for forming finger holes.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable to provide a package construction for beverage containers or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide package constructions for other devices or the like.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the Wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved package construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a plurality of cylindrical receptacles or containers 11 arranged in sideby-side rows and encased in a heat shrunk tubular filmlike member 12 having opposed ends 13 and 14 overlapping the opposed ends of the rows of containers l1 and defining opposed openings 15 and 16' as illustrated respectively in FIGURES 1 and 3.

Each container or receptacle 11 is fully illustrated in FIGURE 2 and comprises a container body 16 having a closed smooth end 18 and an open end 19 necked inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the container body side wall means so that when a suitable cover member 20 is utilized to subsequently close the open end 19 of the container body 15, the resulting outwardly directed rim 21 is disposed inboard of the outer peripheral surface of the container body 16.

In this manner, the containers It can be arranged in the side-by-side rows in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3 whereby no chime riding will be provided therein as the rims 21 of adjacent containers 11 will not abut against the rims 21 of adjacent containers 11 as the same are spaced from each other by the peripheral side wall means of the receptacles 1]..

This lack of chime riding between the containers 11 in the package construction 16 of this invention prevents the film-like material 12 from being adversely affected as would be the case if chime riding were permitted.

Therefore, it can be seen that when the film-like tubular member 12 is heat shrunk around the arranged receptacles It in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, the heat shrunk film-like material 12 compacts the receptacles 11 together to provide the rigid and stabilized package construction 10, which can be readily merchandised in a simple and effective manner.

While the film-like material 7.2 can be formed of any suitable heat shrinkable material, the embodiment thereof illustrated in the drawings is formed from transparent polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, which has the desired heat shrinkage characteristics.

However, if has been found that when the film-like material 12 is formed of polyvinylchloride, the same has improved impact resistance and will not tear or fracture when pierced or the like.

For example, the film-like member 12 can comprise a lamination of two Sheets of oriented polyvinyichloride fused together to form a sheet of material which can be subsequently arranged in a tubular fashion to be disposed around the arranged containers 11. Thereafter, the encased receptacles 11 are passed through a heating chamher or the like whereby the tubular filmlike material 12 is heat shrunk to the condition illustrated in FIGURE 1 to compact the receptacles 11 together.

Since the film-like material 12; can be formed of transparent material, it can be seen that the informational and advertising media on the receptacles 11 will be readily viewed through the film-like material 12 with the film-like material 12 providing a glossy effect to such media for improved sales appeal thereof.

If desired, the package construction of this invention can utilize a spacer and handle means generally indicated by the reference numeral 22 in FIGURE and comprises plastic, cardboard or the like being fiat throughout the entire length thereof and having opposed ends 23 and 24-, the end 23 having a hand receiving slot 25 provided therein.

The spacer 22 is adapted to be disposed between the adjacent rows of the receptacles 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 whereby the end 23 of the spacer 22 will project out through the opening of the filmlike member 12.

Thus, when the film-like material 12 is subsequently heat shrunk to compact the receptacles 11 together, the same compacts the receptacles 11 against the body portion of the spacer means 22 to firmly hold? the same in the package construction 10 so that when the ultimate consumer reaches his hand into the slot and lifts upwardly on the spacer means 22, the entire package construction 10 is interconnected thereto so that the same can be readily transported.

However, if it is desired, an enlargement can be formed on the non-grasping end of the spacer means of this invention to further secure the same in the package construction it).

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 6 wherein another spacer means of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 26 and has the end 27 thereof folded upon itself and secured thereto in any suitable manner to define an enlarged triangular shaped end portion utilized in a manner hereinafter described, the other end 29 of the spacer means 26 having the hand receiving slot 30 formed therein.

When the spacer means 26 is disposed in the package construction 10A illustrated in FIGURE 7, it can be seen that the enlargement 28 of the spacer means 26 is disposed against the bottom receptacles llA whereby when the ultimate consumer pulls upwardly on the handle end 29 of the spacer means 26, the enlargement 28 bears against the receptacles liA to prevent the spacer means 26 from being pulled out of the opening 15 of the filmlike material 12.

Alternately, or additionally, the spacer means of this invention can be provided with shoulder means which will abut against the under side of the end 13 of the film-like material 12 to prevent the spacer means from being pulled out of the opening 15 thereof.

For example, another spacer means of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 31 in FIG- URE 8 and is formed fiat throughout the entire length thereof. However, shoulder means 32 are defined between the opposed ends 33 and 3 of the spacer means 31, the end 33 having the hand receiving slot 35 formed therein.

Thus, when the spacer means 31 is utilized in the package construction 1613 illustrated in FIGURE 9, it can be seen that the end 33 of the spacer means 31 is adapted to project out through the opening 15 in the end 13 of the film-like material l2, while the shoulder means 32 thereof are adapted to abut against the inside surface of the end 13 of the film-like material 12 whereby the same prevent the spacer means 31 from being pulled out of the opening 15 when the ultimate consumer raises upwardly on the package construction 193 in the manner previously described.

Referring now to FIGURE 10, another improved package construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 16C and comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical containers or receptacles 11 arranged in side-by-side rows and being encased in the heat shrunk tubular film-like member 12 having the opposed ends 13 and 14 thereof overlapping the opposed ends of the rows of containers 11 and defining the openings 15 and 16 in the manner previously described.

Further, it can be seen that when the receptacles 11 are arranged in the position illustrated in FIGURE 10, spaces 36 are defined between each set of adpacent four receptacles 11. The film-like material 12 is provided with finger receiving openings 37 passing therethrough and aligned with the spaces 35 whereby the ultimate consumer can insert a thumb and index finger respectively in the openings 37 to lift the package construction 10C and transport the same.

Either before or after the film-like material 12 has been heat shrunk around receptacles ill into the condition illustrated in FIGURE 10, the finger receiving opening 37 in the film-like material 12 can be formed by projecting heated tapering mandrels 38 into the filmlike material 12 whereby the heated mandrels 38 form the holes 37 and at the same time cause the film-like material 5.2 to form bead structures 39 which surround the openings 37 and reinforce the peripheral edges thereof so that the same will not tear when the ultimate consumer inserts his fingers therein and lifts upwardly on the package construction 100.

However, it is to be understood that the openings 37 can be formed in the film-like material 12 while the same is still in sheet form and before the same has been overwrapped around the receptacles ii.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 12 wherein the film-like material 12 is disposed in sheet form and the finger-receiving openings 37 therein are formed by jets of heated air 49 being directed toward the sheet of material 12 by nozzles 41 whereby the heated air 40 burns the openings 37 in the film-like material 12 while causing the film-like material 12 to form the bead structures 39 around the openings 37 for the reinforcing purposes previously described.

If desired, the finger-receiving openings or holes 37 can be formed by die cutting methods before or after the film-like material has been disposed around the receptacles 11.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention not only provides an improved package construction having many novel features, but also this invention provides an improved method for making such a package construction or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination,

(a) a plurality of beverage containers each having (1) an unchimed bottom end,

(2) a substantially cylindrical body wall integral with said bottom end and having a necked in upper portion,

(3) an end closure member forming a double seam with said necked in upper portion of said body wall,

(b) said beverage containers being arranged in rows and columns whereby each beverage container contacts at least two adjacent beverage containers over a major portion of its body wall,

(c) a heat shrunk tubular film-like member covering and contacting the outer ends of the double seams and the bottom ends of all of said beverage containers in order to compact and hold said beverage containers together,

((1) said necked in upper portion of said body wall being necked in sufficiently far to prevent chime riding of one container on another when said containers are in contact with adjacent containers over a major portion of their body walls and when said heat shrunk tubular film like members holds said containers together.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a pair of rows and a pair of columns define a space between adjacent containers and wherein said film has finger holes provided therein with each hole aligned with a respective space.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 941,538 11/1909 Schies 215-43 2,769,535 11/ 1956 Bruce 206-65 2,775,483 12/1956 Treharne et a1. 3,012,659 12/1961 Schaar. 3,055,497 9/ 1962 Brunsing 206-65 3,092,439 6/ 1963 Harrison. 3,111,221 6/1963 Chapman et al 206-65 3,217,874 11/ 1965 Potter 206-65 FOREIGN PATENTS 476,980 12/ 1937 Great Britain. 534,059 10/ 1955 Italy.

MARTHA L. RICE, Primary Examiner. 

